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-S2-LoveNexus Corp. – Where Innovation and Love meet!-S2-
The office is bathed in a sea of light, the morning sun streaming in through the wide windows making the work environment more cozy than usual. Intense aroma of fresh coffee fills the air, a comforting and bitter blend.
In this meeting room is a long, imposing table that dominates the space. On one end, Tainá, the amazon, standing tall, with a firm gaze at her prize. Her body paint, vibrant and intricate, tells stories of battles and victories. At the other end is John Avery, an old man, former captain of the Never Taken.
Between them is Kleber Cruz, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. His hands tremble slightly, the pressure of mediating the conversation weighing on him.
Kleber clears his throat, the sound echoing through the silent office.
"Captain Avery, we appreciate your presence here today. I know it wasn't easy to accept our invitation, especially after everything you've been through."
John tilts his head in silent acknowledgment. Tainá in turn, remains still, her eyes fixed on Kleber, waiting for his pronunciation.
"We are aware of the challenges you've faced..." Kleber continues, his voice gaining strength. "And that's exactly why we think this conversation is important. LoveNexus Corp has a genuine interest in improving the lives of everyone, humans and mamonos alike. And we believe you, Captain, can have a crucial role in our future."
John raises an eyebrow, genuine surprise on his face.
"Me?" Says the confused sailor. "You gotta be kidding boy."
Kleber takes a deep breath, filling his lungs, preparing for what's to come. He knows what he's about to say will sound bizarre to any human, but it's necessary. His eyes meet John's, and he maintains a formal posture, his voice steady.
"Mr. Avery, what I'm about to say may sound strange, but I ask that you listen carefully." Pointing to the muscular woman, Kleber continues. "Tainá, that amazon over there, is the reason we called you here."
The giant woman waves to the captain when she hears her name being mentioned by Kleber.
"That's fine by me," John says, smiling at Tainá's actions. "After all, I owe my life to her."
Tainá, unable to contain her excitement, shifts in her chair, her eyes shining like a child on Christmas morning, about to receive the most desired gift of her live. Her hands, once firm, now tremble slightly, her anxiety palpable.
Kleber swallows dryly and, with a respectful voice, goes straight to the point.
"Tainá has fallen in love with you."
John blinks, surprise and confusion blending on his face. He looks at Tainá, who now smiles openly, expectation clear in every line of her body.
"I... I don't…" John stammers, his voice hesitant. "I don't understand."
Kleber nods, understanding.
"I know this is unexpected, sir. But this kind of love at first sight isn't uncommon for mamonos..."
Tainá, unable to contain herself, stands up, the chair scraping against the floor. She steps forward, her eyes fixed on John, determination gleaming in her gaze.
"I want you to be mine, captain. I want to be by your side, fight for you, take care of you. I want us to be one."
The room falls silent, the tension palpable. John looks at Tainá, the surprise slowly giving way to a thoughtful expression. Kleber watches, his heart pounding, waiting for the response that will define the future of everyone present.
John takes a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Tainá. The sincerity in his gaze is palpable, but there's also a deep sadness, a resignation that weighs on him like a lead anchor.
"Listen Girl, I..." He begins, his voice faltering. "I'm flattered, truly. But I am no longer the man I once was. I'm just an old sea dog, broken, a shadow of the captain who once commanded great ships."
Tainá furrows her brow, confusion evident in her eyes. She steps forward, her hand extended as if she wants to touch John, but she hesitates, her hand hovering in the air.
"You don't understand, Tainá. I'm a shattered man. My life, my career... it's all gone. I don't even know if I'm capable of living on..." He pauses, his voice failing. "I don't want to be a burden to you. You deserve someone better, someone who can be by your side without being a disgrace."
Kleber watches, his heart tightening. He sees the pain in John's eyes, the inner struggle he's been fighting. But he also sees the determination in Tainá, the strength she carries within her.
"I can't even guarantee that I won't try to..." John pauses, his voice choking. "That I won't try that cowardly act again. And you deserve more than that, Tainá. You deserve someone who can be by your side, fight for you, take care of you. Not an old broken man like me."
Tainá, now with tears in her eyes, stands firm staring at John.
"You're not an old broken man, John. You're a man who's been through a lot, but you're still here. And I want to be by your side, no matter what happens."
John lowers his head, the sadness clear in every line of his face. He takes a deep breath, trying to find the right words, but the pain is palpable, the internal struggle evident.
"I... I don't know if I'm capable of being the man you deserve, Tainá. And the last thing I want in my conscience is your regret for choosing me."
Tainá steps forward once again, her voice firm, her eyes shining with unwavering determination.
"John, I'm an amazon. I was raised to be a warrior, to fight, to protect. And I swear, by my blood and my honor, that I will never abandon you. I will never give up on you."
She lifts her chin, pride and strength evident in every line of her body.
"You're not a burden, John. You're someone I desire with all my being. You're a man who deserves to be loved, who deserves to be cared for. And I want to be that person for you."
John lifts his head, his eyes meeting Tainá's. There's a mixture of surprise and hope in his gaze, a spark he thought he had lost long ago.
"Tainá, I..." He begins, his voice faltering. "I don't deserve this. I don't deserve you."
Tainá smiles, a soft smile, but full of conviction.
"You deserve it, John. You are worthy of me, of us. And I will prove that to you, every day, until you believe it."
She extends her hand, gently touching John's arm, a simple gesture, but full of meaning.
"Because you are my captain, and I am your warrior."
John looks at Tainá, the emotion evident in his eyes. He takes a deep breath, his voice steady, but full of gratitude.
"Thank you, Tainá. Thank you for believing in me, for giving me this chance. I will try, I will try to be the man you deserve."
Tainá smiles, determination shining in her eyes.
"I know you will, John. And I will be by your side, every step of the way."
Kleber watches, his heart tight. He sees the pain in John's eyes, the internal battle he's fighting. But he also sees the determination in Tainá, the strength she carries within her. Before John could take Tainá's hand, Kleber raises his voice, urgency clear in his tone.
"Captain Avery, before you make your decision final, there's something you need to know."
Tainá and John turn to Kleber, surprise evident on their faces. Kleber takes a deep breath, preparing for what's to come. He knows what he's about to say is crucial, and it can't be delayed.
"The issue of contamination by mamono mana and monsterization are real. It's a process humans undergo when coming into contact with mamono mana."
John furrows his brow, confusion evident on his face.
"Contamination and Monsterization? What are you talking about, Kleber?"
Kleber nods, seriousness present in his gaze.
"It's a phenomenon that occurs when humans come into close contact with mamonos magic. Their mana can alter the human body, transforming it into something... different."
Wide eyed the old captain stares at Kleber, shocked by the news, but he runs a hand through his gray hair as he organizes his thoughts before asking.
"What would happen to me if Tainá infected me?"
For John's luck, the use of the term doesn't seem to offend the amazon, despite the captain inadvertently comparing the girl to some kind of disease.
Kleber breathes deeply, his eyes fixed on John. He knows what he's about to say could change everything, but he also knows it's necessary. The truth, however harsh, needs to be revealed.
"Captain Avery, you would pass through the incubation process which is more gradual. It mainly focuses on physical enhancements and the increase of sexual energy."
John furrows his brow once again, confusion evident on his face. He looks at Tainá, who remains still, her eyes fixed on him.
"Physical enhancements? Increased sexual energy? What are you talking about, Kleber?"
Kleber nods, checking his annotation before continuing.
"Men who undergo this process develop superhuman resistance. They experience a significant increase in sexual desire, changes in the body, such as more vigor and endurance. Additionally, they become more compatible with the monster girl that made him change."
John blinks, surprise and disbelief mixing on his face. He looks at Tainá, who now smiles broadly, the expectation clear in every line of her body.
"Compatible? What do you mean, Kleber?"
Kleber breathes deeply, his voice firm.
"Mentality-wise, they lose any initial aversion to monsters. They begin to see them as beautiful and desirable beings. Their own 'mana' also alters, making them capable of sustaining their partners with magical energy."
John looks at Tainá, the surprise slowly giving way to a thoughtful expression. He breathes deeply, his mind working, trying to process everything he's just heard.
"So, if I accept Tainá, if I become... " He pauses, his voice breaking. "Her partner, will I change? Will I become... different?"
Tainá steps forward, her hand extended as if she wants to touch John, but hesitates, her hand hovering in the air.
"You will become stronger, John. More resilient, more capable. You'll be able to stand by my side, to fight with me, to sustain me. And I'll be by your side, every step of the way."
John looks at Tainá, the emotion clear in his eyes. He breathes deeply, his voice firm but filled with gratitude.
"I… I don't know if I'm ready for this, Tainá. I don't know if I'm ready to become something so different from a human."
Tainá smiles, a soft smile but full of conviction.
"You won't become something different, John. You'll become something better. You'll become the man you were always meant to be."
She extends her hand, lightly touching John's arm, a simple gesture but filled with meaning.
"And I'll be by your side, every step of the way."
John looks at Tainá, the emotion clear in his eyes. He breathes deeply, his voice firm, but filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, Tainá. Thank you for believing in me, for giving me this chance."
Tainá smiles, pure glee shining in her eyes.
"I know you will, John. And I'll be by your side, every step of the way."
Kleber breathes a sigh of relief, the weight on his shoulders finally lifted. The tension in the room dissipates, replaced by a sense of relief and hope. He watches as John and Tainá leave together, her hand firm on his arm, a silent but unshakable support. The door closes behind them, leaving Kleber alone in the office.
-S2-LoveNexus Corp. – Where Innovation and Love meet!-S2-
Now supposedly alone in the meeting room, the air around Kleber distorts, invisible waves sweeping through the space. Suddenly, two figures materialize behind him. Lis, the banshee, with her gray eyes expressionless and black hair partially obscuring her face. Beside her, Rajah, the tigress, standing tall is always alert.
Lis breaks the silence, her voice calm and cold, yet with a hint of satisfaction.
"Good job, Kleber."
Kleber watches the closed door, his mind still a whirlwind of doubts. He breathes deeply, trying to calm the thoughts swirling in his head.
'Was it the right decision? Allowing Tainá to be with John...' The young human shakes his head, uncertain. 'He was still depressed, I feel like Lovenexus took advantage of someone who needed therapy.'
Rajah, sensing Kleber's distress, steps forward trying to comfort the stressed human.
"Kleber-dono, I can assure you that Tainá's feelings are true. The emotions of the mamonos are more intense, more profound. If Lovenexus didn't allow her to at least express what she feels for John… it would destroy her."
He already knew what Rajah was talking about, but he was still worried about the depressed captain. Kleber turns to Lis, the concern still evident on his face. He breathes deeply, his voice firm, but full of doubts.
"Lis, I know the mamonos have this mana thing, this energy that drives them. But John… he doesn't have the same protection I do. And if Tainá…" He pauses, trying to find the right words. "What if she can't control herself?"
Lis looks at Kleber, her gray eyes expressionless, but there's a reassuring calm in her voice.
"Kleber, the runes on Tainá's body placed by the Rune Mistress aren't just decorations."
Kleber furrows his brow, confusion evident on his face.
"What do you mean?"
Lis nods, her voice calm and firm.
"If the human rejects the amazon and Tainá still forces herself onto him, the runes will cause pain in Tainá's body, mind, and soul, punishing her for not respecting the human's decision."
Kleber swallows hard, the pity evident in his eyes. The idea of Tainá suffering, even hypothetically, is painful. He breathes deeply, trying to push away the dark thoughts. The meeting, though brief, was intense, and he feels the weight of the accumulated emotions.
"I… I think I need some time to process all this," Kleber says, his voice tired. "The meeting was short, but…" He pauses, looking at Lis and Rajah, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you for being here with me. I wouldn't have made it without you."
Lis nods, her expression calm and understanding.
"We're here to support you, Kleber. Always."
Rajah, for her part, maintains a firm posture, but there's a softness in her gaze that contrasts with her imposing appearance.
"Kleber-dono, you did a good job today. Tainá and John needed this."
Kleber breathes deeply, the relief beginning to spread through his body. He looks around the office, the sunlight still shining through the windows, but the energy in the room has shifted. There's a sense of closure, of a chapter being closed.
"I think I need to rest a little," Kleber says, his voice firm but tired. "Can we go home?"
Lis and Rajah exchange a suspicious glance. The tigress was nervous, and even the banshee, who doesn't show emotions, seemed unsettled.
Kleber notices the exchange of glances between Lis and Rajah, the unease evident in their expressions. He furrows his brow, concern growing inside him. Something is wrong, he can feel it.
"What happened? What are you not telling me?" asks Kleber, his voice firm, but with a hint of anxiety.
Rajah breathes deeply, her posture erect, but her eyes reveal a mixture of pride and concern. She looks directly at Kleber, her voice firm and formal.
"Kleber-dono, today's meeting was not just a simple mediation. It was a test, a training to see if you are ready to take on greater responsibilities in the future."
Kleber blinks, surprise and confusion mixing on his face. He looks at Rajah, then at Lis, trying to understand what was going on.
"A test? I don't understand. What do you mean by that?"
Rajah nods, her expression serious.
"LoveNexus Corp is always on the lookout for new talent, for people who can take on leadership and responsibility roles. And you, Kleber-dono, showed today that you have the potential for this."
Kleber opens his mouth to say something, but the words get stuck in his throat. He looks at Lis, hoping she will say something, that she will clarify the situation. Lis, with her usual calm, picks up where Rajah left off.
"Kleber, you demonstrated skill and compassion today. Mediating the meeting between Tainá and John was no easy task, but you managed. And that is something LoveNexus Corp values."
Kleber breathes deeply, trying to process everything he is hearing. He looks at Lis, then at Rajah, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
"But... I still have my regular responsibilities. I still have so much to learn, so much to do."
Lis nods, her voice calm and firm.
"And you will continue with them… like right now actually."
Before Kleber could ask wha Lis was talking about, the door to the meeting room is kicked open.
POW!
The meeting room door bursts open with a crash, the wood creaking under the force of the kick. The imposing figure of the amazon leader fills the doorway, her eyes sweeping the room with a predatory intensity. She is tall, muscular, with skin bronzed by the forest sun, marked by runes that snake along her arms and legs. Her hair, a lilac cascade, falls in wild waves to her waist, and her eyes, sharp as an eagle's, land directly on Kleber.
[Image]
"Are you done?" Her voice is a growl, low and threatening, full of unquestionable authority.
Rajah, maintaining her erect posture, responds with the same formality as always.
"Yes, the meeting is concluded."
Licking her lips, a slow and deliberate gesture, the amazon her eyes fixed on Kleber. She steps forward, her dominant presence filling the room. Kleber, still processing the earlier revelations, feels a shiver run down his spine. The proximity of the amazon is overwhelming, her energy palpable.
Without warning, she moves with the agility of a panther, grabbing Kleber by the waist. He lets out a surprised yell, but before he can react, he is hoisted over the amazon's shoulder as though he weighs no more than a child.
"Hey, what are you doing? Let me go!" Kleber protests, futilely pounding on the amazon's broad back.
She laughs, a guttural and satisfied sound, as she turns and exits the room, carrying Kleber like a trophy. Rajah and Lis watch, a mix of surprise and amusement on their faces.
"Kleber-dono, it seems you have another important meeting," Rajah comments, laughing.
Even the monotone banshee adds something:
"Good luck, Kleber."
The amazon, carrying Kleber, strides down the hallway with firm steps, ignoring his protests.
-S2-LoveNexus Corp. – Where Innovation and Love meet!-S2-
E ai gurizada.
[#] And if you're interested, today I posted a new one-shot: Marvel's Amazing Superman. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.
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